The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) urges people within the Five Counties region and the City of Cornwall and surrounding areas not to get complacent about following public health precautions against the pandemic and other potential health concerns.

“It remains as important as ever to continue practising good hand (washing) hygiene and, when possible, to keep a distance of at least two metres from other people when you’re out in public,” stated Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, EOHU chief medical officer. “As we approach cold and flu season, and the cooler weather that comes with it, these measures will help keep the number of (new) COVID-19 cases low.”

The number of new COVID-19 cases for the EOHU area is low but, Dr. Roumeliotis noted, a few new cases are still appearing. The mandatory masking order is still in effect for people in enclosed public spaces, and limits still exist on the number of people allowed for public gatherings. Following pandemic safety guidelines in the community, Dr. Roumeliotis observed, will help maintain the safety of students as they return to school.

“Simply put, if the number of cases outside the four walls of school start to rise, then the number of cases inside the four walls of school will rise as well,” he stated. “The opposite is also true, as the two are closely linked and we know that children can unknowingly spread viruses within the community.”

Parents are also urged to keep their children at home if they show any symptoms of illness, whether a cold or the flu.